034S Binding Recoil - Hard Pull

[SteveSr]

Hello,

I have an 034S that has gotten harder and harder to pull over. At first I blamed this on the ignition and it will occasionally try to rip your arm off. I tried pulling it over today but with the ignition off and still couldn't pull the saw over more than one revolution before the recoil jammed up. I also decided to put my compression tester on the saw and the most that I could get is 160 which I wouldn't think should be impossible to pull.

So today I disassembled the recoil and found some interesting clues. Based on what I can see it appears that the recoil pulley has been binding on the cover for the recoil spring. I also noticed that the Elastostart cord which I installed several years ago when I rehabed the saw has gotten flattened which reduces the effective pulley diameter. Is this a defective Elastostart cord or do they all do this?

It seems that on some of the newer variants of the recoil (MS series round badge) that Stihl got rid of the rewind spring cover and addes a second pawl to the pulley. Were these changes intended to fix this problem?

I also found an IPL that showed the older rectangular nameplate housing with an option for 2 pawls instead of 1. Will this by itself be enough to fix this issue?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[cscltd]

You can add another pawl and use clip spring from ms440 and make it a double pawl. I also found the pulley binds on the post and running drill bit down pulley hole to open it up slightly helps.

 

[SteveSr]

You can add another pawl and use clip spring from ms440 and make it a double pawl. I also found the pulley binds on the post and running drill bit down pulley hole to open it up slightly helps.

I already checked and the pulley has plenty of "wiggle room" on the housing shaft. Perhaps too much?

Has anyone had any success removing the spring cover, perhaps temporarily?

 

[SteveSr]

Well, I just confirmed that the recoil was the issue... NOT my age...Yet! I did a little bit of cleaning and then put some thick grease on the rotor shaft and the rotor/spring case interface. Put everything back together and and could pull it over fine... even with the pulled muscle in my shoulder from earlier attempts.

Unfortunately I know that this won't last. I think that I will add the double pawl upgrade which mat help prevent future wear on the NLA parts in the recoil assembly.

This should be a lesson for anyone with a saw that is hard to pull over. It might not be you or your age but your saw! With everything together it is impossible to see what is binding on what. My only clue was rub/wear marks on the binding components.

 

[stihltech]

The second pawl will not make it easier to pull over. Better engagement and less wear on the pawls, but not an easier pull.
Sounds like you are on the right track. Check the post wear, spring cleanliness and condition of the rope pulley down in the groove where the rope winds. Not uncommon to see a split under pressure there.

 

[cscltd]

Adding the better version elasto starter handle that begins with part#1128 would help in the reduced kick department if shoulder becoming an issue
Only about 30 bucks for oem one

 

[SteveSr]

Adding the better version elasto starter handle that begins with part#1128 would help in the reduced kick department if shoulder becoming an issue
Only about 30 bucks for oem one

It already has the elastostart handle on it.

 

[SteveSr]

The second pawl will not make it easier to pull over. Better engagement and less wear on the pawls, but not an easier pull.
Sounds like you are on the right track. Check the post wear, spring cleanliness and condition of the rope pulley down in the groove where the rope winds. Not uncommon to see a split under pressure there.

I didn't check for a split pulley. I will next time I have it apart. At least the pulley was still available as of 2022.

Have you ever seen the elastostart rope flatten out especially on the inner spool? It acts like it has a hollow core and not stiff like regular starter rope?

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

Some times the pulleys get worn. This one finally broke too.

Try replacing it.

I replaced just a pulley and pawl back in 2014.

Later came back with bad single pawl. - So Updated to 2 pawls with new clip and the stihl rescue handle for him. Hasnt been back for that issue since.

 

[SteveSr]

Some times the pulleys get worn. This one finally broke too.

Try replacing it.

I may just do that since they are apparently still available. So which wears more... the axle in the recoil cover or the hole in the pulley?

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

I may just do that since they are apparently still available. So which wears more... the axle in the recoil cover or the hole in the pulley?

Check both but his was pulley.

 

[stihltech]

If it is worn and wobbles on the shaft, try a new pulley. If it is binding on the shaft, use a drill bit that is SLIGHTLY bigger that the bore. Get about 1 of those a month. If binding, usually will not rewind well.

 

[SteveSr]

If it is worn and wobbles on the shaft, try a new pulley. If it is binding on the shaft, use a drill bit that is SLIGHTLY bigger that the bore. Get about 1 of those a month. If binding, usually will not rewind well.

This one has noticeable wobble on the pulley. Looks like time for a new pulley. Unfortunately the axle is part of the recoil cover and doesn't appear to be independently replaceable, unlike the MS series recoils.